Dr. Steve Zegree

Review: Gold Company is widely recognized as one of the leading collegiate and vocal jazz ensembles in the world, and "Thirty" celebrates thirty years under the direction of Dr. Stephen Zegree, the Bobby McFerrin Distinguished Professor of Jazz in the School of Music at Western Michigan University. The 15 to 16-member Gold Company performs 13 sublime jazz covers and a pair of originals, here with the very hot Gold Company Band. The originals are (founding member and arranger for The New York Voices) Darmon Meader's "And So Am I" and "Snow Samba," the Meader-arranged composition by Paquito D'Rivera and Claudio Rotiti. Other favorites are two different takes on Lennon and McCartney's "Got to Get You Into My Life," the Gene Puerling-arranged "Sweet Lorraine," Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed," "The Jungle Book's" "The Monkey Song," the moody "Autumn in New York," Duke Ellington's "Love You Madly," Cole Porter's "So In Love" from "Kiss Me Kate" and Tamra Gray's lovely "Raindrops Will Fall." We repeat the caveat that this is an all-accompanied recording. That said, this is wonderful jazz, far beyond what one might expect from collegiate musicians!

Songlist: Got to Get You Into My Life, The Very Thought Of You, And So Am I, Sweet Lorraine, Overjoyed, My Love For You, The Monkey Song, Autumn In New York, Love You Madly, Let Your Love, So In Love, Snow Samba, In My Life, Raindrops will Fall, Got to Get You Into My Life

Review: Dr. Stephen Zegree, concert pianist, educator and one of the most respected Vocal Jazz conductors on the planet, directs two 16-mixed voices permutations of Western Michigan's Gold Company, plus the Gold Company Band, essentially a 21-member Jazz orchestra in this 15-song, mostly-accompanied collection. Guest conductor Duane Shields Davis also directs a version of Gold Company and the Band here, as well as doing the dynamic arrangements for Rodgers & Hart's "This Can't Be Love" and Cole Porter's "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye." Other favorites are the George Gershwin standard "I Got Rhythm, a scattish, salsa take on Caesar & Youman's "Tea for Two," a pair of originals written and arranged by student Tenor Mark Jackson, "Pure Gold," "We're Here for You" and "Go For The Gold;" Gillies & Foster's power ballad "Stand Up for Love," the a cappella version of Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee," arranged, of course by Ward Swingle, Bobby McFerrin's sublime a cappella "In The Garden," and the Glenn Miller Classic that bears the name of the home of Western Michigan, "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo." Dr. Zegree has led Gold Company in winning a fistful of DownBeat Magazine awards and a reputation as one of the most respected Collegiate Vocal Bands in the world. Every one of these cuts is as hot, or cool, as we like it, and we're sure you'll also love "Who could ask for anything more!"

Songlist: I Got Rhythm, This Can't Be Love, Tea For Two, Pure Gold, Prisoner Of Love, In The Stone, Stand Up For Love, Flight Of The Bumble Bee, We're Here For You, Quiet Night Of Quiet Stars, Go For The Gold, Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye, The Garden, I Believe, I've Got a Gal In Kalamazoo

Review: Dr. Stephen Zegree is one of the most respected vocal jazz educators in the world. As a professor in the School of Music at Western Michigan University, Dr. Zegree teaches classical and jazz piano and directs Gold Company, WMU's internationally regarded vocal jazz ensemble. He is in demand as a pianist and conductor around the world, and his students are among today's leaders in jazz and pop performance, Broadway, recording studio production, writing, arranging, singing and music education. Included is a comprehensive CD that Dr. Zegree uses to illustrate points he makes in the book. This is a must-have book for the music educator, performer - basically anyone who is serious about Vocal Jazz!

Songlist: What Is Vocal Jazz?, Roots and Traditions, It's a Matter of Style, Rehearsal Techniques for the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Theory (in Reality!), The Rhythm Section, The Art of Solo Singing, Improvisation, The Sound Reinforcement System, Staging, Movement and Programming, Listen, Listen, Listen, The Gold Company Program

Review: What is it about some musicians and performers who consistently achieve success? Are they the best performers? Did they have the best teachers? Do they have the best professional contacts and connections? Is it just coincidence? Of course not! Dr. Steve Zegree of Western Michigan University, choral arranger and conductor of Western Michigan's Gold Company has developed this practical guide for performers, students, teachers and parents which offers fundamental philosophies and concepts that are essential to a person's growth and development and will contribute to a successful professional life in music. More than just the basics, more than a prescribed curriculum, and more than just getting in front of an audience to go through the motions of what you did in rehearsal - call it the Wow Factor - there is something for everyone in this book!

Songlist: Introduction, Chapter 1: The Wow Factor, Chapter 2: How to Practice and Rehearse for the Wow Factor, Chapter 3; How to Prepare a "Wow" audition, Chapter 4: Ifs, Ands, or Butts- and Rules to Live By, Chapter 5: Don't Go to Your Face: Putting the Polish on Your Performance, Chapter 6: How to Educate and Entertain, Chapter 7: How to Win on NBC's Clash of the Choirs, Chapter 8: "Wow" Perspectives: The Interviews, Chapter 9: Coda, About the Author, Praise for The Wow Factor

Review: This TV special has become an American tradition and has been delighting kids for decades. Return to the simple joys of the Christmas season with Vince Guaraldi's jazz renditions of traditional carols and original music written for this classic holiday favorite. Celebrate the simplicity and charm of the Peanuts characters and Charlie Brown's little Christmas tree with "Just Like Me" originally recorded by Vanessa Williams in tribute to the 40th anniversary album for A Charlie Brown Christmas. This jazz-flavored miniature will delight your listeners with thoughtful lyrics and fresh harmonies.

Songlist: Christmas Time Is Here, A Charlie Brown Christmas (Medley), Just Like Me